Dear Curing: There has never been a better time to donate toward research not only for specific canine diseases but also for research in specific breeds. The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, a registered 501(C)3 nonprofit organization, has been accepting tax deductible donations since 1995.

So far, according to the foundation’s website, “the Foundation has raised over one million dollars for canine health research, with the addition of funds from the AKC, over two million in research has been supported from 1996 to 1998. In addition, dog lovers have pledged over 3.5 million in planned gifts, and bequests to the Foundation from their estate plans. The majority of these gifts are pledged to the Foundation endowment and will assure the continuation of canine health research and education.”

In fact, just by visiting their website at www.akcchf.org I found a listing of grants by disease and under “Cancer” I found a grant on Canine Lymphosacoma, one of the most common cancers, which is being funded in part by the Newfoundland Club of America Charitable Trust. Cancer research is an important topic to the foundation as evidenced by their recently concluded third annual Canine Cancer Conference: “Genes, Dogs & Cancer.”

So you have two options for giving, either directly to the AKC Canine Health Foundation, P.O. Box 37941, Raleigh, NC 27627-7941; phone -888-682-9696 or e-mail at akcchf@aol.com. Or you can contact the Newfoundland Club of America through their secretary: Robin Seaman, 107 New St, Rehoboth, MA, 02769-2900; or e-mail her at RSeaman985@aol.com or visit their website at www.newfdogclub.org for information about the charitable trust.

Dear Lisa: Lately, my 9-year-old Golden Retriever seems a little stiff when he walks up the stairs. I was thinking about giving him one of those joint supplements with Glucosamine in it. How do those work and which one is the best? – Stiffness in the Joint     

 

Dear Stiffness: Many dogs, like humans, stiffen up as they get older. Some of the earliest signs might be difficulty climbing stairs or jumping on the bed. One of the most common causes is cartilage deterioration in the joints, such as hips and knees. Cartilage is a slippery substance, which creates a cushion between the bones at a flexible joint. As the dog ages the “slippery-ness” of the cartilage disappears and the bones begin to grind together leading to damage known as arthritis.

In the early 1990’s, a product was introduced to the equine market mixing Glucosamine and Chondrotin sulfate and many horse owners touted the wonderful effects of this new “nutraceutical”.  The term nutraceutical was coined to describe a substance that worked like a pharmaceutical (prescription drug) but better than your average nutritional supplement (non-drug substance). This orally administered white powder called Cosequin®, began adding active, riding years to the lives of show and pleasure horses alike. Eventually, Nutramax Labs, the developers of Cosequin®, manufactured a dog, human and more recently, a cat supplement. 

With the success of this product the “wannabes” weren’t far behind. Cosequin® is the “#1 Vet Recommended Oral Joint Health Supplement” as reported in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association. Its trademarked combination of ingredients has been proven in studies to be absorbed by dogs and restore cartilage health. After a six-week initial dosage, the substance begins to accumulate in the dog and dosages can be reduced to maintenance levels. If you find that your dog may need a little more during active or stressful periods then increasing the dosage is an effective way to add more protection.

I recommend you use Cosequin®. I still use Cosequin® on my dogs after eight years. Once, I tried another similar supplement on one of my horses and was very disappointed with the results. Stick with the leader and you can’t go wrong!

Lisa Peterson, a breeder and exhibitor of Norwegian Elkhounds, is a Delegate to the American Kennel Club. Send questions to elvemel@aol.com or P.O. Box 197, Newtown, CT 06470.